Section Newsletter Articles on Expert Witnesses

Judges should not say “expert” in front of the juryBy Evan BrunoBench and Bar, May 2016It’s impossible to say for certain whether a judge’s oral designation of a witness as an expert has ever tipped the scales in a jury trial. But more importantly, why does the jury even need to be informed of this evidentiary ruling?

Surveys, science & skepticismBy Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, February 2014Expert witnesses are used in diverse areas of the law, including intellectual property, and are typically paid for their work, as attorneys commonly are. A skilled expert may find consistent employment helping fact finders understand the evidence and implied facts.

Admissibility of an expert opinion prior to or after class certification?By John J. HolevasCivil Practice and Procedure, July 2010The 7th Circuit found that when an expert’s report or testimony is critical to class certification and forms the basis of plaintiff’s theory, a district court must conclusively rule on any challenge to the expert’s qualification or submissions prior to ruling on a class certification motion.

Admissibility of an expert opinion prior to or after class certification?By John J. HolevasFederal Civil Practice, June 2010The 7th Circuit ultimately concluded that when an expert’s report or testimony is critical to class certification and forms the basis of plaintiff’s theory, a district court must conclusively rule on any challenge to the expert’s qualification or submissions prior to ruling on a class certification motion.